Dipping to temperatures of -47°C, the officers spent close to five hours in and out of the water in Thompson over a two-day period.

Police worked with ice rescue experts to provide training and practical experience for their personal safety. Some of the officers entered the water wearing dry suits, while others dressed only in normal winter wear to get a feel for the conditions in both scenarios.

RCMP often attend calls relating to incidents where someone has fallen through the ice, therefore making the training exercise paramount to their ability to help someone in distress.